Artifice Page 49

Yeah, Deacon, we all love your puppy dog eyes, but I don’t think trying to change the subject is going to fly here…

We have two new Fan Arts this update! One from ammazolie is intense, graphical and a bit scary. The other from Deanna is sweet, shirtless and sexy. You should definitely check them out. Thanks, ammazolie and Deanna!

And we hit the bonus target again this week, meaning there will be a bonus page of Artifice—Page 50!—this Wednesday, November 16th! That will be the ninth bonus page in a row! You are all AMAZING!

Special thanks to long-time supporter Annalisa C. and a warm welcome and grateful bow to new supporters Katty L., Amanda E., Sarah G. and Carly S. for their generous donations over the last few days.

And finally, for putting us over the top (and then some!) for this upcoming bonus page, I’m sending out a leaping high-five and cheer to new friends Kendra W. & Kathryn W. as well as an android-strength, loving hug to long time friends Steven H. (who has now donated for the fourth time in row!) and to Monique P. (who donated $25 putting us well above the target!).

Thank you all so, so much! As always, your incredible generosity humbles and fills me with joy all at the same time. 🙂

And… I really do hope you’re enjoying this scene between these two. I love Jeff and Deacon together. Of course. 😀 But there’s just something about the interaction between Maven and Deacon that tickles me. They are so much fun to write. 😉 (And the way Winona drew Maven’s fierce face in Panel 6 just rocks my socks.)

***DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!*** UPDATE 11/13/11 10:48 AM: Even with Deacon’s shirt on, there is no stopping the awesome power of our awesome readers! We have yet again hit the bonus target and that means that not only are we going to have a bonus page this Wednesday (page 50!), but we’ll NOW also have a bonus page next week, November 23rd, as well! Thank you all so much!

If you particularly enjoy any of these pages and use Facebook, please click the Like button on that page. It’s useful to know what’s working and it helps me get the word out!

Maven went from her wtf face to her black-bear-hungry-i-eat-you-now face.

Part of me is frightened. The other part? Aroused. Idek. She does something to me.

Also, Deacon killed SEVEN members of the retrieval team? Holy crap, my yaoi-fangirl heart just skipped a beat. He murdered people to protect Jeff. I am assuming. I could be wrong. Maybe he didn’t like their faces at all.

Dude. No idea what that is, but I’m fairly certain I have to watch it now. Along with the Star Trek movie that’s been avoiding me for like 2 years now. Shit there goes my Nano word count out the window…

While there are those (like my best pal, Bill) who would disagree with my ranking of which movie is better, the first movie Alien directed by Ridley Scott is a fine, three-star horror film. But the second movie, Aliens directed by James Cameron, is one of the best action-adventure films of the 80s. It was a huge inspiration to me and the scene with the android in the mess hall (early on in the film) gave me the original inspiration that got me to dream up this entire story you are reading now.

If you like Artifice, then I highly recommend you watch Cameron’s Aliens. You’ll definitely see how that movie inspired me in these pages. 🙂

Hyperminimalism

I’m half expecting Dr. Maven’s head to split open and some vicious, slimy alien creature will come out hissing and spatting at poor Deacon.

In any case, yes, listen to Dr. Maven and tell us…tell us about your -other- encounters with the boy, Deacon.

*watches intently*

crimsonkiss22

In panel 3, with all those motion lines, it actually looks like Maven is tossing shurikens at Deacon.

You need to take care of you! And rest! Otherwise, Dr. Maven shall be sicked on you. (I have no idea how said thing will happen, her being under your and Winona’s control, but it will.)

Emily Hood

Creepy, stalker, fictional crush on Maven was multiplied by one billion after reading this page. Her dialogue… it’s fantastic… Alex you are awesome beyond compare.

“I’m getting awfully sick of having to repeat myself” I think I lost it there and was reduced to a puddle of glee. I mean she’s so COOL! Took me about five minutes to become coherent enough to post something sensible.

And her expressions! Panels three and six…. Winona you never cease to amaze with your incredible talent.

I don’t even know what else to say… I don’t know if I can wait until Wednesday. I think my brain will explode which will leave an awful mess.

Finding Winona was one of the luckiest, happiest things to happen to me in my life. Some years ago, I had put out an open-call on the Internet looking for an inker and colorist for my very first comic, “A Shot in the Dark”. Because it was for-pay work, I must have gotten over 250 responses from artists from around the world applying for the job. But once I saw Winona’s work, there was no doubt in my mind that she was the right choice. And after we had worked together on ASITD, I knew I wanted—I needed!—to do a full comic with her. I sent her the script to Artifice with my heart in my throat, afraid she wouldn’t want to do it—and was so psyched when she said YES! Since then, the collaboration has been, well, stunningly awesome. 😀

And shall I Word of God that Maven is a sweetheart, pussycat between the sheets?

Nah….. She’s formidable in every arena. Be afraid, be very afraid. Only the strongest would survive. 😉

This page made the bottom drop out of my stomach. First of all, I just realized that including the windows was for a reason. The sun looks like it’s going down on THIS page, but in earlier pages where the window was included, the sun was shining. That means that, for all intents and purposes, Deacon and Maven have been locked together in a small room ALL DAY. Even if both parties are attractive and intelligent (which seems to be the case here, though I’m not wanting to see Maven in the buff), I can’t imagine that either of them are functioning at their best. Even Deacon, who’s apparently designed that way.

Second…some people mentioned it in the page before, but the idea that Jeff is getting questioned in a potentially more brutal manner finally made itself real to me, since, in the verbal sense, the good doctor is not going easy on our friendly neighborhood android. I don’t think she’s being abusive verbally (that we see), but she is definitely not playing with gloves on right now. Deacon’s reminding me of a young child trying to to get out of being grounded for breaking a window by explaining that he was trying something else with the rock to help out a friend. Maven isn’t buying it, and is now stuck on the sticking point….and now everyone, please excuse that horrible pun.

Deacon’s really feeling….feelings right now. I hope they’re not shorting him out, because the doc’s not really giving him the time to think things through. Who is the real Deacon? The confident sounding inhuman who told Jeff exactly what he thought about sex and intimacy, or this scared little boy who happens to be capable of knocking out a small army by himself? I know I’m staying around to find out.

The art is, as it was and shall ever be, gorgeous, glorious, and perfect in all facial expressions. This isn’t the first time Maven has intimidated me, and it won’t be the last. Seriously. On another point, I wish my teeth were as good looking as hers. Now, it is time for bed! I hit 14535 while I waited for this page 🙂

Poor Deacon. Maven ought to know full well it’s awkward talking to authority figures about things you believe should be private. A quieter, more friendly tone where she behaves as after-the-fact conspirator and trusted confidant probably would have worked better.

I suspect she’s right on the money, though, that probably is the key to solving the “mystery” of why Deacon killed seven members of the retrieval team.

I truely admire her ability to resist them puppy eyes. But I pray that I never have her, or anyone like her, as my therapist. I’d have more problems than I had in the first place if I did. XD

I absolutely ADORE every single expression on this page. Deacon’s pleading ones make me want to pet his head, and Maven’s make me want to hide under my blanket for a while. And I love how relentless Maven is. She has earned my everlasting fear and respect. w<

I’m pretty sure she doesn’t need to peel off her face in order to devour people. If looks could kill, I’m pretty sure Decon would be dead right now XD She’s just gonna bite throats out, I swear it, just start ripping them out with her teeth!

geneticsgirl

yay! this page rocks, as usual. I am glad that I woke up at 6am on a saturday just to check this out 😀

Thank you, Orantmihi. It makes me really happy that you’re enjoying this scene. Like I said, Maven is so much fun to write. 😀

Krondor2000

I knew this is the reaction Maven would have when it comes to Deacon’s story. But now there is a new question, is Maven mad because Deacon killed 7 members of the retrieval team or because he has a relationship with Jeff despite being an android? What if it wasn’t Deacon? What if it was Jeff who killed them? After all, we still don’t know how Deacon’s ship was destroyed when he was ready to leave with his team.

Ooooh! I’m not sure Jeff could kill them via training, but if the guys sent on retrieval weren’t trained or soldier-like, and if Jeff had a gun… I could see murder possibly upsetting Jeff though, like blood on his hands of possibly innocent people… I’ve assumed Decon’s ship was destroyed (way back at the beginning) when the whole place the group of them were at blew up.

Ryn

Desperate times calls for Desperate measures. Jeff is expecting to die, but that doesn’t mean he’s just gunna lie down in his grave for them. hell, he went all wild cat on Deacon until he bashed his head in a few walls.

Ninniku

In the last panel, Maven makes me think of Judge Judy for some reason. She’s got the mind powers and knows when you’re lying.

Eh. I kinda agreed right off the bat, but then thought about it. Unless she gets tough with Decon, she’s not gonna get anywhere with him. He’s not gonna go spilling his guts to her just because she’s nice. He’s going to answer to orders. He’s a soldier, he works like that. And it’s the only way he’s telling anyone (sort of Jeff) about his relationship. In my perception of things, anyways. And I guess timeaesnyx as a point too, with the murder thing (but then again, he was sent to kill a whole colony so….)

Mary Kelleher

There’s giving orders, and there’s screaming. She’s trying to get him to open up, she’s just bossing, and contradicting him at every turn isn’t gonna help much.

She’s be the worst therapist ever if Deacon was her client and his well-being was her goal.

But he’s not her client, he’s not the one paying her, the Corporation is her client and Deacon is an assignment. Her job is to pry apart his psyche and figure out what went “wrong.” The end goal of her “therapy” isn’t a happy well-adjusted Deacon. It’s her telling the Corporation if she thinks Deacon can be reprogrammed, or if he should be destroyed.

It’s not therapy, it’s an interrogation. If Maven has her way, there’s no way it can end well for Deacon.

is it just me who think Maven only wanted to hear more about deacon sexual experience with jeff? 😀

Syreen

I’m still saying that she’s a yaoi fan XD

Myrtu

DEACON! ANSWER HER QUESTION! He’s begging, with his hands clasped together like that. It’s adorable. But I don’t think it’s going to make a difference later; it’s obviously not right now! As I read this, I can hear Maven screaming. It’s awesome. Good job you two, love this page, as always.

I promise one and all that, although I’m gay, I don’t hate women in any way… but that last panel… does anyone else look at Maven and flash on “Alien” at all??? That mouth is more scary than anything that could have happened on DaVinci 4.

Hehe. Thank you for the props, Tristan. (And if you check out my response to Deanna below, you’ll see that it’s not so strange to find connections between the world of Artifice and what you’ve seen in the Aliens movies…. :D)

Ryn

ah crap…. waiiiit… ><

I may have a -possible- inkling to what secrets are trying to be kept.

I’m not sure if Dr. Maven looks better in panel 4 or 6. Her expressions are killer in both! Like week made. (And red bubbles!) And OMG, that bitch! She just killed us seeing the rest of Decon and Jeff sexes! D’: Given, what she brought up is pretty awesome, and I really can’t wait for that answer, but augh! I want to see the rest of their first sex!

Also, how is your back doing? Are you still doing okay? Better, by chance? Take care!

I can’t help but think of Bill Clinton with Maven’s last statement. i also can’t help but to feel bad for both of them. Maven is trying her hardest to do her job without Hulking out on people while Deacon is trying to be as honest as possible without saying something that would ultimately place Jeff in danger. I think Maven should listen to this guy for once. Androids don’t plead for no good reason (or any reason at all, for that matter), so if the “man” is begging you to look at something, you really should. I have a feeling that Deacon is being very sincere and is not trying to meerly change the subject.

Also love that we have a sense of time in panel 5. Boy, we have all been here for quite a while.

Maven…you’re terrifying and so intense but that’s why we love you! Poor Deacon doesn’t want to spill his guts…er…so to speak lol Love the art! I agree that Winona did a superb job on Maven in panel six! She’s all “rawr” with the hair flying a bit and all that. I love the interactions between Deacon and Maven 😀

There are some folks who are exploring that question in the comments below…. 🙂

SteveMcSheffrey

Is she angry because she helped design the model’s emotional capabilities? Is she Jeff’s mother, having faked her death to escape his whininess? Does she have a past as an abusive therapist which led to her working for corporate interests rather than humanitarian purposes?

Lithekitty

Maven is so badass. XD

yellowrock

“Yes, and I’d do it again too!…and again and again and again and again and again…”

However much I like to see nekkid guys, I’m really more interested in the general storyline of this comic. I want to learn mooooore!

I have a theory. Maven wants to keep Deacon as the weapon he is. However, if he is intrigued with Jeff to that nebulous point of A(I) love, and perhaps Jeff needs to be done away with, Deacon would no longer be of use. He couldn’t be trusted. I hope this is not the case.

On page 10 she does say she wants to see if he can be salvaged. I think she’ll find if she wants to do so Jeff will be a way to control Decon (we’ll kill him if you don’t do such-and-such in such-and-such ways). And then as a reward for a mission well done maybe she’ll let him have sex time with Jeff or something. I could totally see Dr. Maven doing that.

shinashiasusual

Ooo~ I like that better, though Jeff will lead a hard life because of that.

Ryn

I had a thought like that the second i saw her narrow her eyes back on page 19. had a baaaaad feeling.

Holy crap, Maven in the last panel looks like she’s snarling. With that expression, you don’t even NEED to emphasize the word balloons!

unrelated note, I check this on my smartphone! 😀 But I can’t comment with my yahoo account that way. D: I would bite the bullet and sign up for Disqus, but then I’d lose my high score! I’m third in line for most comments. I take perverse pride in that! Right up until I try to go back and see if Alex answered one of my questions and I can’t remember what page I posted it on. D:<

Laymanterms303

I got a chuckle put of that comment. Its like “At first I was like :D, then I was like D:, and at he end I was all D:<." Quite the rollercoaster, Enkidu.

Laymanterms303

… I think Maven is confusing Deacon with Bill Clinton.

Laymanterms303

And before I forget, panels three and six are pretty much the best Mavens yet (IMHO). Panel six makes me think she’s about to go Dark Phoenix. And that would be awesome.

the_duck

I love Dr. Maven.. 😀 <3 Seriously! I like her attitude and that she doesn't give up. If she wants answers, she will get them. C:

eleutherios

MAVEN GIVES AWESOME RAGEFACE

I DON’T CARE IF YOU’RE A SUPER KILLER ANDROID, SHE WILL RIP YOUR THROAT OUT WITH HER TEETH

cjfrankie

Maven is mean!!! *hides under pillow* Make her leave Deacon alone!!!!! … On another note, amazing artwork, I’m especially impressed with your skill with expressions and body language and I am completely gripped by this storyline… please keep the pages coming! Oh… and please tell us where Jeff is while Deacon is with Maven, I’m really worried about that boy.

W Nelson

Well, our cushion is still stable so the pages aren’t gonna stop anytime soon… Though these donations are really pushing me, haha! It’s what you call a positive stressor ^_^

I don’t know which way to squee. On the one hand, Maven’s rageface is awesomely epic, and on the other, Deacon is so pathetic and cute. I guess it means there is an AWESOME team working on this webcomic. I can’t wait to see what happens next!

im frightened but i must have more 😀 cant wait till wednsday <3 and please let the answer be yes

Elira Winter

Ah did nawt have seckshual relations with thaht womahn.

* le cough *

(Deacon in panel 3 looks like he needs a huge hug. ;__;)

Rocket

Aw, she’s acting like a homophobic :_>

Exile 755 is a Higglytown hero

Considering the whole gay gene thing, I’d think that’d be very common in this story. And Deacon wasn’t supposed to say two words to Jeff — having sex with the guy just blows her anger to higher places. She’d probably still be enraged had Jeff been a woman.

Dear Alex, I know that everyone at NoNeCo strives to ensure that the products created reach as large a base as possible, considering all the feasible uses. I myself have used this strategy, on behalf of the Company, to further the widespread interest in the ASO. I showed page 41 to several prospective buyers interested in the versatility the ASO line had to offer. The interest was immediate. Truly, manufacturing a brighter tomorrow has never looked so…enticing.

::normal voice:: I wanted to say again that I’m really enjoying the undercurrents below Deacon and Maven’s exchanges. They’re making me think and count down the minutes until this Wednesday’s bonus page, so I can get some answers to some questions! I hope I can stand the wait!(at 15484 now; hoping to reach 20K by tomorrow, when more awake)

KBatty

You’re in my head. I was just sitting here thinking: I didn’t post my NaNo count for Summer and Deanna. Then came here to do so and I saw your comment. As of yesterday evening I was at 16548. I’d like to crack the 20,000 count myself today, but once I hit that I expect an immediate drop-off. The 20,000 accounts for the skeletal summary of the story, and then I’m going to go back and start really fleshing out the individual chapters. That means my word count will probably crash and burn in fiery death.

I doubt your word count will fail you! I think this means that we do have widely different strategies. I’m writing out the story as I go. I didn’t know you were making all the plot points then fleshing them out! I’m sure there’s going to be plenty of words to make your 50K, so don’t worry 🙂

KBatty

Well that wasn’t really the original plan. It just kind of happened that way. I wrote out the story as a story, but it’s lacking in detail and the like. Now that I’ve got what I would call a skeletal first draft out, I’m going to go back to the beginning and write again with more details. Right now it’s about 37 pages. I’m expecting about 8-10 additional pages of expansion information per page. I just don’t expect to keep up with the NaNo rate I had before.

Deacon: Of course we did! Have you seen him? He is f****** delicious!!

fiazoe

This comic is just keeping me alive. Everyday after school I run home to see if there’s more… and when there’s more, I try my best not to scream of joy and excitement. Really. NEVER have I read such a breathtaking and lifeoccupying comic! LOVE IT in other words <3

She’s corporate. Professional ethics have nothing to do with her job. lol

CommodoreZelda

I FINALLY had time to turn the computer on and come see this page. 😀 I love Maven. She’s awesome. I don’t blame poor Deacon for being intimidated.

Ariana Evans

Has anyone else noticed how the sun has been progressing in the window behind them throughout the session? From close to the beginning of of the comic to now, the sky has been constantly changing. I just realized that! I guess this debate is gonna last all night! Poor Deacon!

W Nelson

Hehe I’m glad you noticed ^_^ Painting the same landscape in a bunch of different times of day was fun!

mikakitten

Eeek…she’s scary :s …Poor Deacon…dug yourself into a hole now haven’t you… :'( … I hope you can recover…and have nice fantasy day dreams of the numerous occasions Deacon and Jeff had snuggles and naughties :3

RustyBurrell

She makes me sad :<

Ryn

i’m beginning to think more happened than what has been said happened. with only the remaining retrieval team and Jeff and Deacon knowing what happened; rumors and such have a nasty way of spreading and becoming the “truth”. And with a big ol’ complex to search through wouldn’t it make more sense to split up to find Deacon quicker? things can happen…

I keep coming back to the site, even though it’s not Wed-nes-day (and yes, I do say it like that xD) yet! It’s only two days away but honestly! COME ON.

Maven has always scared me, and I always thought Deacon was adorable, even with all his robot-ness and expressionless-ness. And for some reason, Jeff just speaks to me, and could use just a big ol’ totally girly girl-hug for all his troubles.

And on that note, so could Alex… Alex could use a totally girl girly-bear-hug, because he’s an amazing writer and just inspires me everyday. I absolutely love everything about yaoi, and as a yaoi writer myself (though, I’m totally staying in the closet about this, even though I’m not a guy, haha), I’m totally proud (and totally jealous, but in a good way) to know that you, Mr. Alex Woolfson, are making it like you are with this comic.

On a different note, I heard/saw you were having back problems, and that makes me wish you lived in my city… I know the best massage therapist on the planet, and you totally deserve it, hun. It makes me worried for you to know you’re having a little problem like that, even if it’s never happened before, or if it’s minor. So, I hope you get better, and if you are better, than woot! I hope it stays that way! *Gives you that big ol’ totally girly girl-bear-hug*

Sorry for that long comment, but I haven’t commented on Artifice yet, so I figured it was about time I got my rear in gear and posted something. 😀

Ah, thank you, HannahDJA—for the props and the girl girly-bear-hug! My back is in fact feeling much better, (I’m sure in no small part from all the warmth and well-wishing awesome readers like yourself have sent my way. 🙂 )

I’m really glad that you’ve been enjoying reading Artifice. It’s always awesome to get props from another creator. I hope you’re having good luck and good fun with your own (closeted 🙂 ) yaoi writing. It’s been so inspiring to hear from all the NaNo commenters—so cool to think that we have so many writers among our readers!

Anyway, thank you very much for finally commenting and with such sweet words. You’ve put a big smile on my face. 😀

Aikka

I just tried to imagine what would happen if all people who want to hug Alex gathered in one place and hugged him at the same time o_o that would be… dangerous for his health… life? o….o

HannahDJA

I don’t know, but besides possible health risks, I would absolutely love that. xD Hugging is like, the best medicine. Well, next to laughter that is. Mwahahahahahahaaaaaaa…

I think everybody wants to give Alex a hug. (Did you know Alex is my pseudonym? Hahah. I find that interesting for some reason.) Who wouldn’t want to give him a hug? He’s just so… so… hugable! And is just totally deserving of awesome hugs. 😀

You know what? Eveb though I love seeing Deacon with puppy eyes and having the feeling that his and Jeff’s relationship is going to be really good, it bothers me that the doctor asks if there were more… FIRST I want to know all the details of the first one and THEN we can go to the others! Tomorrow, please com quickly!!

ViSovari

I don’t think she’s crazy. Here is a piece of equipment that cost ridiculous amounts of money to make not to mention the likelihood of years of design and testing. Here this product apparently performed well outside of it’s restrictions in both a physical and mental capacity and no doubt she’s got at least a little riding on this whole venture. If a toaster you spent good money on killed your fridge and had sex with the neighbor’s wife, you might have a little anxiety as well.

caitlin-lawson

I think I’d be more confused how my toaster managed to have sex with my neighbours wife. But otherwise valid point.

I guess I’m one of the few Maven-lovers out there. She is exactly as hard-core as she needs to be. Otherwise Deacon would NOT be answering her. Tough love folks! Besides, Deacon’s MILITARY hardware. What do you think he’s trained to respond to: milk and cookies or a drill sergeant?

Also, has anyone seen The Wicker man? The first one, not the remake. I haven’t but I’ve heard some of the songs. Every time I look at the comment tally, I start thinking “Summer is a creepin’ in”. D:

He killed 7 members of the retrieval team? Woah. Deacon’s not as innocent as I thought lol. Now I can see why this is such a big deal to her.

timeaesnyx

Looking forward to the new page and hoping your back problems are a thing of the past Alex.

Potens

Hello, Alex. I’ve just finished reading through this comic for the second time. And I just wanted to let you know what I thought of it.

I’ve always wanted to write a webcomic, but there were two main points I was missing; artistic ability and pacing. Artifice has both of these qualities in spades, and I especially appreciate the pacing in this comic. Too often, I see webcomics spend eternity to advance the plot, shedding readers as they stagnate. Yaoi comics, on the other hand, are typically far too fast paced in the exposition stage, rushing through the details in order to get to the sex portion. I applaud you for finding a more than manageable middle ground. The only thing that seem somewhat off to me is a slight tenancy for deacon to be somewhat blatant in his flirtatious language, something of an odd middle ground for an Android first experimenting with very strong emotions, but I can easily accept that.

As for the art, most of the complements have already been said; fabulous attention to detail, muscle structure, background continuity. In fact, the only critique that sprung to mins was the over-visibility of teeth in some emotional moments…also easily acceptable.

So, in summary, I just wanted to say that I think this is one of the better webcomics out there, and I look forward to reading future installments.

Howdy Potens! Thank you very much for your thoughtful comment and kind words. Pacing is very important to me so it’s very flattering to hear that you think I’ve done that well. I’m delighted to hear you feel Artifice is one of the better webcomics out there and I hope to keep hearing what you think. 🙂